Mirror surface display device and light reflecting and transmitting member

ABSTRACT

Each of a mirror surface display device and a light reflecting member includes a support member having an optical thin film thereon, a broadband selective reflection film and a display in this order; the optical thin film being formed on a surface of the support member facing the broadband selective reflection film; and the broadband selective reflection film being a film selectively transmitting one of clockwise circularly polarized light and counterclockwise circularly polarized light, and selectively reflecting the other polarized light, and having cholesteric regularity.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mirror surface display device and alight reflecting and transmitting member which allow a ray of displayand mirror-reflected light to be visible.

BACKGROUND ART

As the information society in recent years is progressing, various kindsof displays including a liquid crystal display have been widely spread,and these displays have had a higher function and a higher added valuein a rapid pace. For example, there has been known a mirror surfacedisplay, which has a half mirror formed on a front surface side thereofand has a mirror function added thereto so as to show a mirror-likeappearance.

As an example of the use of a half mirror, there has been disclosed amirror-like electrostatic capacitive touch panel, which includes amirror-like base material having a transparent and insulating planarmaterial with a conductive metallic thin film formed on a back surfacethereof so as to serve as an optical reflection layer and can specifythe position of an input operation body in touch with or approachingtoward a front surface side of the mirror-like base material (PatentDocument 1).

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT Patent Document

Patent Document 1: JP-A-2015-95183

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Although the mirror surface display utilizes a half mirror to achieve areflection function and a transmission function, it is impossible forthe total amount of the reflectance and the transmittance of the halfmirror to exceed 100% with respect to normal incident light. From thispoint of view, the conventional mirror surface display needs to utilizea metallic thin film or a dielectric thin film so as to be configured toincrease the luminance of a ray of display with a mirror-like appearancebeing ensured. When the mirror surface display is a liquid crystaldisplay, it is possible to increase the illuminance of backlight toraise the visibility of the ray of display. Nevertheless, an increase inthe illuminance inevitably leads to an increase in heat generation fromthe backlight, which makes it necessary to dispose a heat-radiatingsystem or the like so as to prevent the display from being excessivelyheated.

A display having a high resolution can be utilized to increase thedisplay quality of the mirror surface display. Nevertheless, when thedisplay is a transmissive display having a high resolution, the displaypanel is likely to have a low transmittance because thin filmtransistors and other elements required to drive fine pixels have a highoccupancy rate in a display surface. For this reason, it becomes furtherdifficult to increase the luminance of a ray of display in the use of amirror surface display.

The present invention is proposed in consideration of suchcircumstances. It is an object of the present invention to provide alight reflecting and transmitting member, and a mirror surface displaydevice, which achieve a mirror property and a display property in acommon region and increase the total amount of a reflectance and atransmittance.

Solution To Problem

The present invention includes the following modes:

1. A mirror surface display device including a support member having anoptical thin film, a broadband selective reflection film thereon and adisplay in this order;

the optical thin film being formed on a surface of the support memberfacing the broadband selective reflection film; the broadband selectivereflection film being a film selectively transmitting one of clockwisecircularly polarized light and counterclockwise circularly polarizedlight, and selectively reflecting the other polarized light, and havingcholesteric regularity.

2. The mirror surface display device recited in item 1, wherein a ray ofdisplay incident on the broadband selective reflection film from thedisplay is circularly polarized light having the same circling directionas circularly polarized light that is allowed to selectively passthrough the broadband selective reflection film.

3. The mirror surface display device recited in item 1 or 2, wherein thesupport member and the broadband selective reflection film have a largerarea than the display; and

the broadband selective reflection film has a light-shielding layer in aregion that does not face the display.

4. The mirror surface display device recited in item 3, wherein thebroadband selective reflection film and the display face each other viaan air layer; and the light-shielding layer faces, via an air layer, theregion that does not face the display.

5. The mirror surface display device recited in item 3, wherein thebroadband selective reflection film and the display are bonded togethervia a second transparent bonding material, and the light-shielding layeris formed, not via the air layer on the broadband selective reflectionfilm in the region that does not face the display.

6. The mirror surface display device recited in item 4 or 5, furtherincluding a retardation film interposed between the broadband selectivereflection film and the light-shielding layer.

7. The mirror surface display device recited in any one of items 1 to 6,wherein the broadband selective reflection film and the support memberare bonded together via a first transparent bonding material, and thefirst transparent bonding material has a smaller thickness than a pitchof display pixels of the display.

8. The mirror surface display device recited in any one of items 5 to 7,wherein each of the first transparent bonding material and therefractive index of the second transparent bonding material is 0.8 to1.3 times that of the support member and a shear elastic modulus of 10³to 10⁷ Pa at 25° C.

9. The mirror surface display device recited in any one of items 1 to 8,wherein the support member is made of a transparent material having atransmission of at least 20% in a visible light band.

10. The mirror surface display device recited in any one of items 1 to9, wherein the support member is made of inorganic glass.

11. The mirror surface display device recited in any one of items 1 to10, wherein the display is a liquid crystal display, and the liquidcrystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel and a lightsource for emitting light to the liquid crystal display panel, theliquid crystal display panel having a liquid crystal layer interposedbetween paired substrates, and paired polarizing plates formed on eachoutside principal face of the liquid crystal display panel.

12. The mirror surface display device recited in any one of items 1 to11, wherein the optical thin film includes a dielectric multilayer filmand has a light reflectance of at least 60% for a wavelength of 550 nm.

13. The mirror surface display device recited in any one of items 1 to12, wherein the broadband selective reflection film has a reflectionband in wavelength of at least 150 nm.

14. A light reflecting and transmitting member including a supportmember having an optical thin film, and a broadband selective reflectionfilm in this order; and

the optical thin film being formed on a surface of the support memberfacing the broadband selective reflection film; the broadband selectivereflection film being a film selectively transmitting one of clockwisecircularly polarized light and counterclockwise circularly polarizedlight, and selectively reflecting the other polarized light, and havingcholesteric regularity.

15. A window member using the light reflecting and transmitting memberrecited in item 14.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The present invention has an excellent advantage of providing a mirrorsurface display device and a light reflecting and transmitting member,which can achieve a mirror property and a display property in a commonregion and increase the total amount of a reflectance and atransmittance in comparison with the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view of the mirror surface display deviceaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the mirror surface displaydevice according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the mirror surface displaydevice according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a light reflecting andtransmitting member according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Now, explanation will be made about examples of embodiments with thepresent invention applied thereto. The sizes and the ratios of therespective members or to elements shown in the accompanying drawings aredepicted merely for convenience of explanation. The respective membersor elements are not limited to those having such sizes or ratios.

The following explanation and the accompanying drawings are properlygiven in a schematic or simplified way in order to clarify theexplanation.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view of the mirror surface display deviceaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 isa cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1.

The mirror surface display device 101 includes a support member 1 havingan optical thin film 5 formed thereon, a display 2 mounted to thesupport member 1, and a broadband selective reflection film 3 interposedbetween the support member 1 and the display 2. As shown in FIG. 2, thesupport member 1 and the broadband selective reflection film 3 arebonded together without interposing an air layer therebetween. Thebroadband selective reflection film 3 and the display 2 face each othervia an air layer. Hereinbelow, explanation will be made such that asurface of each of the support member 1 and the broadband selectivereflection film 3 facing the display 2 is called a rear surface whilethe other surface of the support member 1 remote from the display 2 iscalled a front surface.

The mirror surface display device 101 has a mirror function as well as adisplay function in a display area of the display 2. A viewer in frontof the front surface of the support member 1 visually recognizes amirror image and a display image on the display. In other words, themirror surface display device appears to be a mirror when the display isnot energized, while a viewer can visually recognize a display image onthe display 2 when the display is energized.

The support member 1 is made of a base material which is transparent inat least a region with a ray of display passing therethrough. The basematerial may be planar or curved. The wording “transparent” means tohave a transmittance of at least 20%, preferably at least 70%, morepreferably at least 80% in a visible light band, and to includecolorless transparent and colored transparent. Appropriate examples ofthe support member 1 include inorganic glass and a plastic material,such as acrylic resin or polycarbonate. Laminate glass is alsoapplicable. The support member may be made of a composite material wherethe region with a ray of display passing therethrough is made of glasswhile the remaining region is made of another member. In other words,the support member 1 may be made of various kinds of materials and havevarious kinds of shapes in a range not departing from the spirit orscope of the present invention.

The support member 1 has the optical thin film 5 formed thereon toachieve a half mirror function. The half mirror passes part of lighttherethrough as it is and reflects the remaining part on its mirrorsurface. The reflectance and the transmittance of the half mirror may beequal to each other, and the transmittance may be higher than thereflectance or vice versa. Although the transmittance and thereflectance may be variable according to need, the transmittance ispreferably higher than the reflectance to achieve a mirror surface.

The optical thin film 5 has a light reflectance of preferably at least60%, more preferably at least 65%, much more preferably at least 70% ata wavelength of 550 nm to obtain a reflection image similar to areflection image produced by a normal mirror surface.

For example, the optical thin film 5 is preferably a metallic thin film,such as an aluminum thin film, a metallic oxide film or a dielectricmultilayer film, which partly transmits incident light withoutcompletely reflecting the incident light. In particular, the opticalthin film 5 is preferably a dielectric multilayer film from theviewpoint of easy control in the ratio of the reflectance and thetransmittance.

The optical thin film 5 may be formed by a known method. The opticalthin film 5 may be formed directly on the support member 1 or may beformed on a transparent base material, such as a resin film, followed bybeing made to adhere to the support member.

When the optical thin film 5 is a metallic thin film, the metallic filmmay have a transparent protection film, such as an organic thin film,formed as an upper layer thereon in order to protect the metallic thinfilm. The thickness of the metallic thin film may be properly designedaccording to a desired transmittance. When the mirror surface displaydevice 101 is equipped with a touch panel, the metallic thin film formedas the optical thin film 5 may be utilized as sensor electrodes or apart of the sensor electrodes.

Although there is no limitation to the display 2 as long as the displayis a device which emits a ray of display toward a front surface of thesupport member 1, a flat panel display, such as a liquid crystaldisplay, an organic EL display or a plasma display, is appropriate. Thedisplay 2 preferably contains a polarized component in the emitted lighttherefrom. The display 2 displays an image stored in a memory (notshown) or an image transmitted from, for example, a computer, a serveror the like connected the display via a network. The support member 1may be equipped with a plurality of displays 2. The support member mayhave a display area formed in a rectangular shape shown in FIG. 1 or inanother shape.

The broadband selective reflection film 3 is a film, which selectivelytransmits one of clockwise circularly polarized light andcounterclockwise circularly polarized light and selectively reflects theother polarized light in a specific wavelength band, which hascholesteric regularity, and which includes a single layer or a pluralityof layers. In Description, the broadband selective reflection film meansa film that selectively transmits one of clockwise circularly polarizedlight and counterclockwise circularly polarized light and selectivelyreflects the other polarized light in a band of at least 150 nm in avisible light band. From the viewpoint of providing the selectivereflection film with an improved reflection property, such as controlledcoloring of reflected light, the broadband selective reflection film hasa selection reflection band covering the entire band of visible light(from 400 to 750 nm). In Description, the broadband selection reflectionfilm is supposed to have, as its band range, a wavelength bandcorresponding to a half-value width in reflection in the opticalreflectance spectrum thereof.

The cholesteric regularity means a state where molecular layers areconfigured in a spiral structure such that each of the layers is formedby molecules aligned in a single direction while adjacent molecularlayers have alignment directions slightly shifted each other. It isnormally possible to fix the cholesteric regularity by fixing acholesteric liquid crystal phase. A polymer film obtainable by curing acholesteric liquid crystal film is appropriately applicable.

The cholesteric regularity is normally obtainable by addition of anoptical rotatory substance, such as a chiral dopant, having anasymmetric center or the like to a rod-like nematic liquid crystal orsmectic liquid crystal.

A discotic liquid crystal having helical axes is obtainable by additionof a chiral to dopant to the discotic liquid crystal. The addition ofthe chiral dopant causes the liquid crystal molecules to be twisted suchthat the liquid crystal molecules are provided with an optical rotatoryproperty. It is possible to modify the helical pitches of the chiralstructure by controlling the concentration of the chiral dopant inducingthe formation of a helical structure or changing the kind of the liquidcrystalline compound or the chiral dopant. It becomes possible toreflect light having a specific wavelength by modifying the helicalpitches. Preferably, the structure having cholesteric regularity hashelical axes extending in a substantially normal direction to theprincipal face of the film. When only a broadband selective reflectionfilm is used, the helical axes are preferred to be in perfect alignmentwith a normal direction to the principal face of the film. When ahalf-mirror and a broadband selective reflection film are used so as tobe laminated, the helical axes may extend on average in a normaldirection to the principal face of the film.

It has been known that a helical structure having cholesteric regularityreflects circularly polarized light having the same helical direction asthe helical direction of light incident into the helical structure froma direction parallel to a helical axis (called selective reflection) andtransmits circularly polarized light having a non-identical helicaldirection. In this case, the reflected circularly polarized light has acenter wavelength λ represented by the product of the pitch p (μm) inthe helical structure and an average refractive index n [av] of theliquid crystal on a plane orthogonal to the helical axis as shown in thefollowing formula (1):

λ=p×n[av]  (formula (1))

The bandwidth W of the reflection is represented by the product of thebirefringence and anisotropy Δn of the liquid crystal and p as shown inthe following formula (2):

W=p×Δn   (formula (2))

As the method for achieving a wider bandwidth, there is a method forlaminating a plurality of films having different helical pitches, i.e.different selective reflection bands to widen the bandwidth of theentire laminate. In this method, the films are normally laminated in theorder of helical pitch size. As another method, there is a method forcontinuously varying the helical pitch size in a single layer. Theexamples of the method for continuously varying the helical pitch sizein a single layer include a method for carrying out curing treatment inseveral times with at least one of an irradiation condition andalignment processing by heating being varied, and a method forseparately performing a step for applying a curable liquid crystalcomposition and a step for carrying out the curing treatment in severaltimes. These methods may be performed in combination.

The curable liquid crystal composition is, for example, a liquid crystalcomposition containing a nematic or smectic liquid crystalline compoundhaving a polymerizable functional group, and a chiral dopant having apolymerizable functional group. The curable liquid crystal compositionmay be a liquid crystal composition containing a discotic liquid crystaland a chiral dopant. The chiral dopant does not necessarily contain apolymerizable functional group. The chiral dopant may contain a chiraldopant having a polymerizable functional group, and a chiral dopanthaving no polymerizable functional group in combination. The curableliquid crystal composition may partly contain a liquid crystallinecompound having no polymerizable functional group. The liquidcrystalline compound may be a low-molecular compound or a polymer.

The liquid crystal composition normally contains a polymerizationinitiator. The liquid crystal composition may contain a polymerizationinitiator, a polymerization inhibitor, an ultraviolet absorber, anoxidation inhibitor, a photostabilizer, a horizontal alignment agent, anunevenness preventive agent, a cissing preventive agent or the like, asrequired, in a range that does not adversely affect to the formation ofa cholesteric liquid crystal phase. The addition of a plasticizer or thelike is also applicable to enhance film strength.

Examples of the photostabilizer include hindered amines or a nickelcomplex, such as nickel bis(octylphenyl)sulfide, nickelcomplex-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl phosphate monoethylate, andnickel dibutyl dithiocarbamate. At least two of them may be usedtogether. The content of a photostabilizer in the liquid crystalcomposition is preferably from 0.01 to 1 part by mass, particularlypreferably from 0.1 to 0.3 parts by mass based on the total amount of100 parts by mass of the liquid crystal compound.

Examples of the photopolymerization initiator include acetophenones,benzophenones, benzoins, benzyls, Michler's ketones, benzoin alkylethers, benzyl dimethyl ketals, phosphine oxides, and thioxanthones. Athermal polymerization initiator may be, for example, an azobispolymerization initiator, or a peroxide polymerization initiator. Atleast of two of them may be used together. The content of aphotopolymerization initiator or thermal polymerization initiator in theliquid crystal composition is preferably from 0.01 to 5 mass %,particularly preferably from 0.03 to 2 mass % based on the total amountof the liquid crystal composition.

The liquid crystalline compound having a polymerizable functional groupis preferably one that exhibits a liquid crystal phase having a helicalaxis by addition of a chiral dopant, can fix the liquid crystal phasehaving a helical axis and can selectively reflect light in the visiblelight band.

A liquid crystalline composition at least containing a liquidcrystalline compound having a polymerizable functional group, and achiral dopant is applied on the support member 1. The liquid crystallinecomposition may contain a non-polymerizable liquid crystalline compoundor a non-liquid crystalline polymerizable compound. The content of thechiral dopant is preferably from 1 to 30 mol % to the liquid crystalcompound. When the liquid crystal composition has a solvent addedthereto, the coated film is dried. The solvent is removed to put thetreatment temperature under a certain condition, resulting in theformation of a cholesteric liquid crystal phase. In that state,polymerization is performed. The polymerization is performed by applyingan external energy as mentioned above. The polymerization temperature ispreferably in a range of at least −10° C. lower than the cholestericliquid crystal phase-isotropic phase transition temperature (Tc) fromthe viewpoint of exhibiting the cholesteric liquid crystal phase in astable manner. The polymerization is preferably performed as radicalpolymerization. A reaction where a volatile substance, such as water, isproduced through polycondensation during polymerization or the like, ora reaction where a byproduct is produced to adversely affect a liquidcrystal property is not preferable. Discotic liquid crystallinemolecules may be polymerized by the method disclosed in JP-A-H08-27284for example.

There is no particular limitation to the light source used duringphotoirradiation. For example, a tungsten lamp, a halogen lamp, a xenonlamp, a xenon flash lamp or a mercury lamp is applicable.

The liquid crystal composition contains the liquid crystalline compoundhaving a polymerizable function group and the chiral dopant having apolymerizable function group in a total amount of preferably at least 75mass %, more preferably at least 90 mass %. The liquid crystalcomposition contains the polymerizable liquid crystal compound in anamount of preferably at least 75 mass %, particularly preferably atleast 85 mass %. The broadband selective reflection film 3 is producedvia the above-mentioned processes. The broadband selective reflectionfilm 3 is not limited to the above-mentioned examples or the onesproduced by the above-mentioned production processes. For example, theliquid crystalline compounds or the production processes disclosed inWO-A-2010-143683, JP-A-2010-61119 or JP-A-2011-203436 are applicable.

The support member 1 and the broadband selective reflection film 3 arebonded together not via an air layer as mentioned above. Although thereis no limitation to how to bond them as long as the measure to opticallybond them together is used, both are bonded together preferably via afirst transparent bonding material. As another mode, the broadbandselective reflection film 3 may be applied directly on the supportmember 1 to bond the broadband selective reflection film 3 and thesupport member 1 together. An alignment film may be applied on thesupport member 1, followed by carrying out rubbing treatment, applyingthe curable liquid crystal composition on the alignment film to bond thebroadband selective reflection film 3 and the support member 1 together.

The first transparent bonding material may be formed by a method forfilling the first transparent bonding material in a liquid or paste forminto a gap between the members to be bonded, or a method for laminatingand bonding adhesive layers together. The first transparent bondingmaterial may be, for example, a thermal plastic resin composition or acurable resin composition, which uses an acrylic resin, a urethane resina silicone resin or another resin. When a curable resin composition isused, the curable resin composition is applied to one of bondingsurfaces, and the one bonding surface is affixed to the other bondingsurface, following by carrying out curing treatment. When a photocurableresin composition is used, activating light is applied.

When a thermosetting resin composition, heat is applied. When a pressuresensitive adhesive layer is used, the pressure sensitive adhesive layeris applied or laminated to one of bonding surfaces, and the one bondingsurface is affixed to the other bonding surface, following by applying apressure to both bonding surface for bonding. The transparent materialmay contain a diffusion component in order to increase a viewing angle.

From the viewpoint of raising the visibility of a ray of display, thefirst transparent bonding material has a refractive index of preferablyfrom 0.8 to 1.3 times, more preferably from 0.93 to 1.12 times therefractive index of a region of the support member 1 where the ray ofdisplay emits. The first transparent bonding material has a shearelastic modulus of preferably from 10³ to 10⁷ Pa, more preferably from10⁴ to 10⁶ Pa at 25° C. The shear elastic modulus is particularlypreferred to be from 10⁴ to 10⁶ Pa because voids caused at the time ofbonding can be relatively easily lost.

The first transparent bonding material has a thickness of preferably atleast 0.03 mm from the viewpoint that impact caused by an external forceis sufficiently reduced to protect the display 2. The transparentbonding material has a thickness of preferably at most 2 mm, morepreferably from 0.1 to 0.8 mm from the viewpoint of minimizing areduction in the visibility of the display 2.

The first transparent bonding material has a thickness preferably set soas to be smaller than the pitch of display pixels. When there is a largeoptical path difference in a ray of display from the display 2 betweenlight that passes through the optical thin film 5 and light that isreflected on the optical thin film 5 to be polarized and rotated and istotally reflected on the broadband selective reflection film 3, followedby being emitted toward a viewer via the optical thin film 5, thedisplay image from the display 2 could appear as multiple images asobserved from an oblique slant direction, not a front direction. Fromthis point of view, it is more appropriate to decrease the bondingdistance between the optical thin film 5 and the broadband selectivereflection film 3 to reduce the optical path difference. In other words,it is more appropriate to adopt a method for reducing the thickness ofthe first transparent bonding material for bonding the optical thin film5 and the broadband selective reflection film 3. It is preferred to setthe thickness of the first transparent bonding material so as to besmaller than the pitch of the display pixels of the display 2 in orderto effectively control the generation of the multiple images. The firsttransparent bonding material has a thickness of preferably at most ½,more preferably from 1/16 to ¼ of the pitch of the display pixels of thedisplay 2.

In a mirror surface region except for a region for emitting a ray ofdisplay, the broadband selective reflection film 3 preferably has alight-shielding layer in a region that does not face the display 2. Thecolor tone of the light-shielding layer is preferably dark in order tohave a raised visibility as the mirror surface. When the display 2 emitsno ray of display, the display 2 preferably has a tone similar to thetone that appears when the display 2 does not act as a display, in otherwords, the display 2 is in a black fashion, in order that the positionof the display 2 is difficult to be visible from a front side.

When the display 2 is bonded to the broadband selective reflection film3 via the air layer, the light-shielding layer is preferably formed soas to face the broadband selective reflection film 3 via the air layeras in the positional relationship between the display 2 and thebroadband selective reflection film 3. Thus, the boarder between theregion where the ray of display is emitted and the other region becomesdifficult to be visible, resulting in the production of a mirror imagein an integration mode.

The mirror surface display device 101 according to the first embodimentpreferably includes a retainer not shown. The retainer is used to fixthe support member 1 and the display 2 and retain both. The provision ofthe retainer can prevent the support member 1, the broadband selectivereflection film 3 and the display 2 from causing misalignment. It shouldbe noted that no misalignment could be caused between the support member1 and the broadband selective reflection film 3 since both members arebonded together via the first transparent bonding material in the mirrorsurface display device 101 according to the first embodiment.

The retainer retains the support member 1 and the display 2 in a regionother than the display surface of the display 2, such as a lateralsurface of the device. Further, the retainer preferably has alight-shielding property. When the retainer has a light-shieldingproperty, it is prevented that a ray of display from the display 2, orlight reflecting in the mirror surface display device 101, such as lightreflected on the broadband selective reflection film 3 or the like leaksoutside, and that external light is incident from a side other than thefront side.

In accordance with the mirror surface display device 101 according tothe first embodiment, a circularly polarized component reflected on thebroadband selective reflection film 3 in incident light passing throughthe support member 1 from the front side can be taken out forwardlysince the mirror surface display device uses the broadband selectivereflection film, which selectively transmits one of clockwise circularlypolarized light and counterclockwise circularly polarized light andselectively reflects the other polarized light, and has cholestericregularity. Thus, when the support member 1 has a high transmittance, itis possible to improve the brightness of the mirror surface as viewedfrom the front side. In such a case, the broadband selective reflectionfilm 3 preferably has a large reflection band to reduce coloring ofreflection light.

When the ray of display from the display 2 contains a polarizedcomponent, and when there is disposed a polarizing plate or aretardation plate which produces circularly polarized light passingthrough the broadband selective reflection film 3, almost of the entireray of display can pass through the broadband selective reflection film3. Part of the ray of display that has passed through the broadbandselective reflection film 3 passes through the support member 1 and istaken out through the front surface of the support member. On the otherhand, part of the ray of display that has reflected on the rear surfaceof the support member 1 reflects on the broadband selective reflectionfilm 3 because the reflection light has an optically rotationaldirection reversed with respect to the helical axis of the cholestericregularity formed in the broadband selective reflection film 3. Thereflection light can pass through the support member to be taken outthrough the front surface of the support member. Afterward, reflectionand passing-through are repeated in a similar way such that the ray ofdisplay can be taken out through the front surface of the support memberto advantageously improve display luminance viewed from the frontsurface of the support member.

The effect inherent in the laminated structure according to the presentinvention is achieved by the reversal of the optically rotationaldirection of the ray of display that passes through the broadbandselective reflection film 3 and is reflected on the rear surface of thesupport member 1, and by reflection of the ray of display that isrepeatedly made on the broadband selective reflection film 3. Animprovement in the reflectance of the incident light into the frontsurface achieved by the structure according to the present invention islimited to a circularly polarized component in a single directionachieved by the broadband selective reflection film 3. With regard tothe ray of display, the optical thin film formed on the support member1, however, has a reflectance of preferably at least 60%, morepreferably at least 65% because it is possible to effectively take outthe ray of display by disposing the polarizing plate or the retardationplate such that the ray of display passes through the broadbandselective reflection film 3. With regard to the ray of display, it ispossible to improve the transmittance by about from 15 to 25%, takinginto account loss caused on the interface by repeated reflection andlight absorption in the members.

When the support member 1 having the optical thin film 5 thereon has areflectance of 68% and a transmittance of 20% for incident light havinga wavelength of 550 nm, the entire mirror surface display device 101 hasa reflectance of 69% and a polarized light transmittance of 39%. Whenthe ray of display is polarized light, the total amount of thereflectance and the transmittance is substantially 108%, which is beyond100%.

When the support member 1 having the optical thin film 5 thereon has areflectance of 33% and a transmittance of 62% for incident light havinga wavelength of 550 nm, the mirror surface display device 101 has areflectance of 48% and a polarized light transmittance of 84%. When theray of display is polarized light, the total of the reflectance and thetransmittance amounts to 132%, which is beyond 100% in the same way.Nevertheless, a mirror surface display device having a reflectance ofless than 50% has a limited application because of creating a darkmirror image.

When the mirror surface display device 101 according to the firstembodiment includes no broadband selective reflection film 3 as in theprior art, the ratio of the reflectance to the transmittance(reflectance:transmittance) can be set to from 95:0 to 0:95 by opticallydesigning the optical thin film 5 (dielectric thin film) formed on asupport member 1. Nevertheless, it is impossible for the total of thereflectance and the transmittance to exceed 100% in this case.

The conventional mirror surface display devices have equipped with ahigh illuminance backlight to increase the luminance of a ray ofdisplay, which has necessitated the provision of a heat-radiating systemwhich is capable of dealing with a service time or the quantity ofgenerated heat. A light reflecting and transmitting member which thepresent invention applied thereto can release the heat generation of thedisplay 2 since it is possible to raise the visibility of a ray ofdisplay without achieving a high luminance by use of a backlight or thelike. For this reason, the present invention has a merit that it ispossible to ensure required visibility without provision of aheat-radiating system. It should be noted that the present inventiondoes not exclude the provision of a heat-radiating system and mayadequately include a heat-radiating system as needed.

The present invention may use a display 3 having a difficulty inachieving a high illuminance but having a high dissolution, whichadvantageously improves the quality of a display image. In particular,in a method where the mirror surface display device is used to see amirror image (reflection light) and a display image (ray of display) incontrast to each other, it is necessary to increase the resolution ofthe display image with respect to the mirror image having a highresolution without a boundary, which means that it is preferred to usethe display 3 having a high resolution.

According to the light reflecting and transmitting member according tothe first embodiment, it is possible to use the broadband selectivereflection film to increase the total of the reflectance and thetransmittance in comparison with the prior art, which means that thereis a merit to increase a degree of freedom in design according toapplication or need.

The mirror surface display device 101 according to the first embodimentmay be applied to a mirror surface display device as a mirror stand or amirror in a fitting room in a shop, for example. The mirror surfacedisplay device according to the first embodiment may be appropriatelyapplicable to a partition wall, a column-like building member with amirror surface in a shop or the like. There is no limitation to how themirror surface display device is used. The mirror surface display devicemay display an indoor advertisement or an indoor guide, salesinformation or the like on a partition wall, a column support or thelike. The mirror surface display device may be also used to produce arepresentation having an excellent design.

The mirror surface display device 101 may include a sensor detecting theapproach of a person and a reading function of reading tag informationon a product therein to display information on the product on the mirrorsurface to the approaching person.

The mirror surface display device 101 may have a touch panel disposed onat least a part of the display surface of the display. The touch panelnormally includes a touch panel sensor, a control circuit for detectinga contact position to the touch panel sensor, wiring and a FPC (flexibleprinted circuit). The light reflecting and transmitting member may beequipped with an input unit for the display by use of the touch panel.The touch panel sensor has a detecting area formed on a part of thesupport member 1 facing the display region of the display 2 such thatthe touch panel sensor serves as an area, where a contact or approachposition is detected. When the touch panel is disposed, the touch panelsensor is preferably configured to be disposed between the supportmember 1 and the broadband selective reflection film 3. A non-contactmotion sensor using infrared light or the like may be used as the touchsensor.

In a clothing shop, a customer can display his or herself on the display2 such that he or she apparently tries on various pieces of clothingwith different colors or designs to examine his or her appearance forvarious pieces of clothing. Moreover, in a fitting room of a clothingshop, a customer can try on clothing and examine his or her appearancefrom different angles by using a camera to be taken pictures and displaythe pictures on the mirror surface display device 101. Furthermore, themirror surface display device may be used as a mirror installed in ashop to display product information, an advertisement or the like. Themirror surface display device is also applicable to various kinds ofmembers including a building member, such as a wall member, a windowmember and a ceiling member, in addition to the above-mentionedexamples.

Second Embodiment

Now, an example of the mirror surface display device according toanother embodiment different from the first embodiment will bedescribed. Hereinbelow, similar or identical members are denoted byidentical reference numerals, and explanation of such members will beappropriately omitted. The mirror surface display device according tothe second embodiment has the same basic structure and function as thataccording to the first embodiment except for the following items.Specifically, the second embodiment is different from the firstembodiment in that a ray of display incident in a broadband selectivereflection film 3 is circularly polarized light having the same circlingdirection as circularly polarized light that is allowed to selectivelypass through the broadband selective reflection film 3. Although thedisplay 2 according to the second embodiment is also applicable tovarious applications, explanation will be made about a case where thedisplay is applied to a liquid crystal display.

As shown in FIG. 3, a mirror surface display device 102 includes anoptical film between a liquid crystal display 20 and the broadbandselective reflection film 3. The mirror surface display device 102 has aquarter-wavelength plate 4 disposed on a back surface of the broadbandselective reflection film 3, i.e. on a part of the principal face of thebroadband selective reflection film 3 facing to the display 2 to achievea phase difference of ¼ wavelength. It is sufficient that thequarter-wavelength plate 4 turns a ray of display into circularlypolarized light, and the quarter-wavelength plate may be advantageouslya known film.

The display 2 includes the liquid crystal display panel 20 and abacklight unit 21. The liquid crystal display panel 20 has a liquidcrystal layer 22 sandwiched between a pair of substrates 23 and 24, andthe paired substrates have paired polarizing plates formed on outsideprincipal faces such that a black representation can be made accordingto the direction that the paired polarizing plates are positioned. Oneof the polarizing plates close to the support member 1 is called a firstpolarizing plate 25, and the other is called a second polarizing plate26. As described above, the liquid crystal display 20 may be bonded tothe quarter-wavelength plate 4 via an air layer or via a transparentbonding material.

A ray of display emitted from the display 2 is turned into linearpolarized light by the first polarizing plate 25. The linear polarizedlight is turned into counterclockwise circularly polarized light orclockwise circularly polarized light by the quarter-wavelength plate 4.The quarter-wavelength plate 4 is selected such that this circularlypolarized light has the same circling direction as circularly polarizinglight passing through the broadband selective reflection film 3. Thus, aray of display emitted from the display 2 can be free from reflectionloss at the broadband selective reflection film 3. This attributes toraise the visibility of the display 2.

In accordance with the mirror surface display device 101, a supportmember having a thin film formed thereon so as to reflect or transmitincident light as in a half mirror, and the broadband selectivereflection film 3 are laminated, and the optical film is formed suchthat when a ray of display is incident on the broadband selectivereflection film 3, the incident light is turned into circularlypolarized light having the same circling direction as circularlypolarizing light passing through a broadband selective reflection film.Thus, it is possible to raise the visibility of the ray of display witha mirror property being achieved.

When in a mirror surface region except for a region for emitting a rayof display, the broadband selective reflection film 3 has alight-shielding layer in a region that does not face the display 2, thelight-shielding layer preferably has an optical film formed on a frontsurface thereof as well.

Third Embodiment

An example of the mirror surface display device according to a thirdembodiment is shown in FIG. 4. The mirror surface display device 103according to the third embodiment is the same as the mirror surfacedisplay device according to the first embodiment except that a broadbandselective reflection film 3 and a display 2 are bonded together via asecond transparent bonding material.

A second transparent bonding material may be a similar material to theabove-mentioned first transparent bonding material. When the secondtransparent bonding material has a shear elastic modulus of at least 10³Pa at 25° C., it becomes easy to maintain the shape of the secondtransparent bonding material. This arrangement allows the applied secondtransparent bonding material to maintain a thickness constant in itsentirety even when the second transparent bonding material has anincreased thickness. Thus, it becomes difficult to form a void in theinterface between the display 2 and the transparent bonding material.When the second transparent bonding material has a shear elastic modulusof at least 10⁴ Pa at 25° C., it is possible to further reducedeformation. When the transparent bonding material has a shear elasticmodulus of at most 10⁷ Pa at 25° C., it is possible to increase thebonding adhesion between the display 2 and a support member 1 (to beprecise, a broadband selective reflection film 3 as a bonding surface)to prevent the display 2 from peeling from the support member 1. Whenthe second transparent bonding material has a shear elastic modulus ofat most 10⁶ Pa at 25° C., it become easy to reduce the generation ofbubble when bonding the display 2 and the support member 1 (to beprecise, the broadband selective reflection film 3 as a bondingsurface).

When the display 2 is bonded to the broadband selective reflection film3 via the second transparent bonding material, it is preferred that thebroadband selective reflection film 3 have a light-shielding layerbonded thereto not via an air layer by direct printing or the like.Thus, the boundary between a region where a ray of display is emittedand the other region becomes difficult to be visually recognized from afront side, resulting in the production of a mirror image in anintegration mode as in the first embodiment.

The above-mentioned first to third embodiments are examples of themirror surface display device according to the present invention, andvarious variations and modifications may be made in a range notdeparting from the spirit on the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of the lightreflecting and transmitting member according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

The light reflecting and transmitting member 201 includes a supportmember 1 with an optical thin film 5 formed thereon, and a broadbandselective reflection film 3. As shown in FIG. 5, the support member 1and the broadband selective reflection film 3 is bonded together via afirst transparent bonding material, not via an air layer. The materialsor members described in various ways about the above-mentioned mirrorsurface display device are applicable to the support member 1, thebroadband selective reflection film 3, the optical thin film 5, thefirst transparent bonding material and the like in the shown lightreflecting transmitting member.

This application is a continuation of PCT Application No.PCT/JP2017/001801, filed on Jan. 19, 2017, which is based upon andclaims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2016-009265 filed on Jan. 20, 2016. The contents of those applicationsare incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1: Support member, 2: display, 3: broadband selective reflection film,4: quarter-wavelength plate, 5: half mirror, 20: liquid crystal displaypanel, 21: backlight unit, 22: liquid crystal layer, 23 and 24:substrate, 25: first polarizing plate, 26: second polarizing plate, 101to 103: mirror surface display device, 201: light reflectingtransmitting member

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A mirror surface display device comprising asupport member having an optical thin film thereon, a broadbandselective reflection film, and a display in this order; the optical thinfilm being formed on a surface of the support member facing thebroadband selective reflection film; and the broadband selectivereflection film comprises molecular layers which are configured in aspiral structure such that each of the molecular layers comprise liquidcrystal molecules aligned in a direction while adjacent molecular layershave alignment directions of the liquid crystal molecules slightlyturned to each other molecular layer, the spiral structure selectivelymore transmits one of clockwise circularly polarized light andcounterclockwise circularly polarized light than the other circularlypolarized light, and selectively more reflects the other circularlypolarized light than the one of the circularly polarized light.
 17. Themirror surface display device according to claim 16, wherein a ray ofdisplay incident on the broadband selective reflection film from thedisplay comprises circularly polarized light having the same circlingdirection as circularly polarized light that is allowed to selectivelypass through the broadband selective reflection film.
 18. The mirrorsurface display device according to claim 16, wherein the support memberand the broadband selective reflection film have a larger area than thedisplay; and the broadband selective reflection film has alight-shielding layer in a region that does not face the display. 19.The mirror surface display device according to claim 18, wherein thebroadband selective reflection film and the display face each other viaan air layer; and the light-shielding layer faces, via an air layer, theregion that does not face the display.
 20. The mirror surface displaydevice according to claim 18, wherein the broadband selective reflectionfilm and the display are bonded together via a second transparentbonding material, and the light-shielding layer is formed, not via theair layer, on the broadband selective reflection film in the region thatdoes not face the display.
 21. The mirror surface display deviceaccording to claim 19, further comprising a retardation film interposedbetween the broadband selective reflection film and the light-shieldinglayer.
 22. The mirror surface display device according to claim 16,wherein the broadband selective reflection film and the support memberare bonded together.
 23. The mirror surface display device according toclaim 20, wherein the broadband selective reflection film and thesupport member are bonded together via a first transparent bondingmaterial, and the first transparent bonding material has a smallerthickness than a pitch of display pixels of the display, and each of thefirst transparent bonding material and the second transparent bondingmaterial has a refractive index of 0.8 to 1.3 times that of the supportmember, and a shear elastic modulus of 10³ to 10⁷ Pa at 25° C.
 24. Themirror surface display device according to claim 16, wherein the supportmember is made of a transparent material having a transmission of atleast 20% in a visible light band.
 25. The mirror surface display deviceaccording to claim 16, wherein the support member is made of inorganicglass.
 26. The mirror surface display device according to claim 16,wherein the display comprises a liquid crystal display, and the liquidcrystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel and a lightsource for emitting light to the liquid crystal display panel, theliquid crystal display panel having a liquid crystal layer interposedbetween paired substrates, and paired polarizing plates formed on bothoutside principal faces of the liquid crystal display panel.
 27. Themirror surface display device according to claim 16, wherein the opticalthin film includes a dielectric multilayer film and has a lightreflectance of at least 60% for a wavelength of 550 nm.
 28. The mirrorsurface display device according to claim 16, wherein the broadbandselective reflection film has a reflection band in wavelength of atleast 150 nm.
 29. A light reflecting and transmitting member comprisinga support member having an optical thin film thereon, and a broadbandselective reflection film in this order; and the optical thin film beingformed on a surface of the support member facing the broadband selectivereflection film; the broadband selective reflection film comprisesmolecular layers which are configured in a spiral structure such thateach of the molecular layers comprise liquid crystal molecules alignedin a direction while adjacent molecular layers have alignment directionsof the liquid crystal molecules slightly turned to each other molecularlayer, the spiral structure selectively more transmits one of clockwisecircularly polarized light and counterclockwise circularly polarizedlight than the other circularly polarized light, and selectively morereflects the other circularly polarized light than the one of thecircularly polarized light.
 30. A window member using the lightreflecting and transmitting member claimed in claim
 29. 31. The mirrorsurface display device according to claim 16, further comprising an airlayer interposed between the optical thin film and the broadbandselective reflection film.
 32. The mirror surface display deviceaccording to claim 16, the support member and optical thin film comprisea half mirror.